The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-12-03
POLLY'S BISCUIT.
And Her Choice OF a Defender in
a Pending Suit.

"Polly, don't buy your pearls to-
day" Polly Rutherford looked up
quickly from the jewelers. case she was
bending over, and saw Mr.. McIlwaine
standing at her side.
"Why shouldn't l buy to-day?" she
cried. Il have had this hundred dollars
in gold for almost year, Mr.. Nell
waine, trying to make up my mind what
wanted most. Now, my birthday is
almost here again; and 1 am afraid
grandpa will make this do for two
birthdays, if don't hurry and spend
it."
But Polly's gay little laugh was
checked by look of unmistakable COM
passion in the gentleman's eyes. The
color faded a little from her bright
young face, but she would not ask any
questions here in the crowded store.
"You may put them back to-day, Mr..
West" she said to the jeweler. I'll
come again tomorrow"
Every well, Miss Rutherford" said
the veXed salesman, concealing his
disappointment. 81 shall reserve them
for you"
Polly left the tempting store with
Mr.. McIlwaine, and, once on the street,
turning upon him a pair of frank,
questioning eyes, which he found hard
to answer.
Paul McIlwaine was a friend of the
Rutherford family, but not specially of
little Polly. She was only sixteen, a
mere child to the Woodworking lawyer
of thirty, and one whom he considered
as altogether frivolous and empty. Polly
was an only daughter, living with a
widowed mother in her grandfather's
elegant house; and if she was not a
spoiled girl, it was not the fault of the
doting old grandfather, whose idol she
had been from her babyhood.
What did you mean, Mr.. Nell
waine?" she asked, presently, finding
that the questioning look brought no
reply. And then, seeing how embar-
raised he seemed about answering, she
said, with sudden fear: Have you
been at grandpa's since left? Is any
thing the matter?"
"They are all well" he said, answer
ing the thought which he knew was in
her mind; 'but something has hap
pened, Polly, of course, OF would not
have interfered with your purchase"
80, tell me, tell mer' said the girl,
in an agitated voice. "Why do you
keep me in suspense?"
What blunderer / ami" thought
her companion. IF / tell her out here
on the street, there will be a scene But
am in for it now, and if don't tell
her suppose there will be scene.
That's the way with these fine young
ladies'"
ut is hard thing to say to you,
Polly; but your grandfather has failed. "
Failed" repeated Polly. vaguely;
''you mean he has lost all his money!
Is that all ? Is that what you were
afraid to tell me?'
THAT ALI means a good deal more
than you seem to understand" said
Paul McIlwaine, impatiently. at
means loss and disappointment and
poverty to one of the best gentlemen
in the world. 1t means hard work to
your mother, who has no strength for
work. to you"
He stopped, and Polly said quickly,
feeling the tinge of contempt in his
tone:
Never mind about me. But l sec
now how bad it will be. Poor grand,
pa! Mr.. McIlwaine, does-must-wil
anybody else lose by grandpa's fail
ureP"
ut is too soon to say positively" he
replied, "but l think not. l think he
has quit business in time to save hi'
creditors any appreciate loss"
Polly's head was up now, and hel
eyes shining Dear old granGpa,
she said, "bless his heart! | an
ashamed that L asked the question.
might have known! But, OH I'm Sc
much obliged to you for keeping mt
from spending my hundred dollars. L
was very kind of you, very. l dom
know how you came to find me. How
long have you known about grandpaP'
1T only came out this morning, anC
took US all entirely by surprise. Blu